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The 2024 World Class Bartender of the Year competition in Shanghai kicked off with an exciting blend of tradition and innovation. Global finalists gathered for a feng shui ceremony and a visit to a Chinese teahouse in the city’s vibrant art district, where each competitor selected their favorite tea. 
Returning to the competition hub, they faced their first challenge: Seeding with Seedlip. In just 15 minutes, competitors crafted unique cocktails from available ingredients, with scores determining their competition order.
After the challenge, the contestants shared a toast with Bob Nolet, master distiller of Ketel One, marking the start of a thrilling week. As the full day of challenges approached, the competitors prepared in the Bartender Lounge, perfecting their strategies for the days ahead. The lounge buzzed with energy as brand ambassadors from around the world gathered for masterclasses, and guests enjoyed cocktails and dim sum aboard a boat cruising the Huangpu River, with the stunning Shanghai skyline as the backdrop.
The first major challenge, the Don Julio HAIPAI Challenge, required competitors to create two cocktails reflecting a sense of place—one inspired by their home city and another by Shanghai. Jonathan Stanyard’s creations stood out: his "Three Sisters" cocktail highlighted sustainable farming techniques from indigenous communities in the U.S., while his "East Meets West" brought together Chinese flavors like Sichuan peppers and herbal liqueur with tea and coffee, symbolizing the fusion of cultures in Shanghai.
Next, in the Johnnie Walker Future Stride Challenge, bartenders had to use technology to enhance the drinking experience. Jonathan’s cocktail, "When Worlds Collide," aimed to make luxury accessible, reimagining Johnnie Walker Blue Label with light, fruity notes while emphasizing the whisky’s richness.
The competition continued with the Tanqueray No. TEN Industry Legends Challenge, where Jonathan paid homage to bartending legends Ada Coleman, Dave Arnold, and the future of technology with a trio of cocktails that blended history and innovation. Special thanks to Marcela Rudershausen for bringing flavors to life on the competition stage with custom pineapple-themed aprons for the judges!
In the Singleton Sense the Moment Challenge, Jonathan delivered an unforgettable beach-themed highball, using sound to create a multisensory experience for the judges and audience through silent disco headsets. Paired with beach balls and sunglasses, everyone felt the summer vibes!
After two intense days of competition, the field narrowed to eight finalists from Spain, Indonesia, Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Taiwan, Australia, and China. As a final test, each finalist was tasked with creating a pop-up bar concept, recruiting fellow competitors to assist. Jonathan joined the team from Taiwan, helping them bring their bar concept to life just hours before the 2024 World Class Bartender of the Year was crowned.
The competition culminated in an exhilarating announcement: Canada’s Keegan McGregor was named the 2024 World Class Global Bartender of the Year. It was a week of remarkable talent, creativity, and camaraderie, where the world’s top bartenders came together to push the boundaries of their craft.